Modern coffee tables not only have storage but style. You can find them in many sizes to fit perfectly in your space. Some shapes of modern coffee tables are square, round, and oval. These sizes of tables work well in any size living space. It is always a good idea to think about what shape and size of table that you want, because you may have end tables that are shaped differently and will need to match the coffee table to their particular size.

Coffee tables range in different prices. The price will differ depending on the type of materials that the table will be made from. The coffee table you select should be constructed well and be of quality materials to last a long time. If you have children, you will want the table to be durable to hold up well over time. Modern coffee tables usually fit in with just about any other furniture in your home so choosing one is easy. These coffee tables are available in all wood, glass top, tile top, marble top, and other materials. Some of these coffee tables have beautiful carvings and designs. Whatever types of modern coffee table that you choose, just pick out one that you will be happy with in your home.

The first suggestion I have is an option that I am happily using. Look into chests and chest style coffee tables. Ideally, I would suggest finding an antique travel chest with a flat top and polishing it up into a beautiful centerpiece for your living room. Sadly, most chests you are going to find in antique shops are going to be in need of serious repair that might not be worth it. This is why I suggest chest style coffee tables. They offer some great storage and look much more interesting than just a short table with a pile of cluttered magazines on it.

There are some coffee tables that serve multiple functions as well. The Chevillotte is a French designed coffee table that converts between an actual coffee table and a cheap pool table. It’s both surface space and entertainment. The major issue with these combination coffee tables/pool tables is that they are very low to the ground. These aren’t for playing a full game but rather for passing a little time and starting a conversation. If you are a billiard enthusiast, this may be an interesting addition to a room that is not large enough to house pool table lights or where one might be too obtrusive.

Whatever you choose you need to make sure that it matches your décor. The idea of coffee tables that are actually pool tables is cool but if you stick the ultra-modern Chevillotte into a room furnished in Tibetan antiquities it’s going to look awful. There are lots of beautiful coffee tables out there in every design you can imagine so deviate from the norm and pick up something unique.

In the event that you’re thinking of renovating your home or in the process of revamping one of your rooms, choosing the right and matching furniture can liven your space and give off the appeal that you want. In fact, even one piece like an impressive coffee table can complement an otherwise dull and unattractive room. Should you be looking for a particular coffee table, there are numerous ways to get one. Yet before you do, make certain that you initially have a particular coffee table design and type in mind for your home as this can make your search a lot easier. You can choose among collections of old-fashioned and contemporary design pieces out there. A warranted suggestion from a family member or someone you trust can point you to the right furniture store and this is more convenient that looking aimlessly at various business directories or printed adverts. You can also visit your local furniture shops nearby or get help from the Internet. You can browse through different resources online and get several ideas on where to purchase the finest coffee tables and how to get the best deal.

Even if you’re halfway around the world, you can still order from great furniture vendors on the market. Many of these small and big furniture companies have sites that you can readily check out and they do offer bargains and the best pieces to date. This LA Furniture Store, for one, offers a selection of coffee tables, from glass coffee table set to modern ones made of wood, which you can buy at a discount and they come in excellent quality. Their collection is delightfully eclectic with various styles and sizes that will no doubt suit your decorating needs.

-          A coffee table must be able to blend well with the rest of your home furniture and décor. Whether you’re living in a very modern or traditional home, the wooden, Japanese kind can always blend well with any surrounding. It will become the accent of your living room, a piece that can start conversations when you have guests come over for a visit. Those made of iron and glass aren’t so bad as well, perfect for more contemporary looking homes. Plus, they make your space look bigger than it actually is.  For homes that are strictly rustic, then a classic wooden piece is precious and timeless.

-          If you’re living in a cramped space and you want to have more areas for storage, get a coffee table that can double as a drawer or a storage space. There are coffee tables in the market that opens up as a cabinet or drawer. Coffee tables like these are not only stylish, but very utilitarian as well.

-           Make sure you also think about height when purchasing coffee tables. Know how tall you would want your coffee table to be based on how high your sofas and chairs are. Standard height is 16 inches while the low ones are 11 inches.

These are just the basic things you need to take note of when buying coffee tables. At the end of the day, it will still boil down to your personal preferences.

Over the years, many kinds of wood have been used to come up with the most elegant and beautiful coffee table designs. Below are some of the most popular, mostly because of their durability and quality.

1.      Cherry

2.      Pine

.      Teak

4.      Oak

If you’re looking for a coffee table that will best complement your home, you must take into consideration the following factors:

PRICE

There are people who base their purchase decisions on price alone. The cheapest gets the prize so to speak. Pine is usually the most affordable type of wood and it offers wonderful options too. It’s not just affordable, but durable, agreeable to treatment, has high strength and is top quality when it comes to grade too. This is because pine is the kind of softwood that grows in large quantities all around the globe.

American Cherry, on the other hand, is a kind of hardwood that is priced at mid-range. It is also popular because of its strength, durability, high working properties, and finishing properties.

The kind that is priced higher than Cherry is the Oak. It is the usual choice when it comes to solid construction. If you want a cheaper version, then you can have the coffee tables made of Oak veneer wood.

The highest priced of them all is Teak. This is because buying a coffee table made of this fine hardwood can guarantee your coffee table a very long life, low maintenance and high in elegance and beauty.

COLOR

Your personal taste will determine the kind of color you want for your coffee table. There are various stains available which you can choose from. Cherry wood can take stain very well. You can also opt to varnish it so its natural color will show. Oak can also be stained using dark or light tone. Either can accent its exquisite wood grain. Teak, on the other hand, is best left in its natural state. No stain or varnish needed because it is already attractive as is.

DURABILITY

Pine, being softwood, can be scratched easily, as well as easily dented. This is why Pine is typically used for furniture like coffee tables that are intended for decoration rather than for heavy use. Oak, Cherry and Teak, being hardwood, are more durable, with Teak being the most durable of all.

You have to know what kind of coffee table you really want. With these options in mind, it will be easier for you to find that coffee table perfect for your beautiful home.

Coffee tables, especially the wooden kind, are great masterpieces to be showcased, enjoyed and used in the living room or any part of your home you see fit. But when you see stains on the surface, it doesn’t look as good anymore.  Admittedly, it is hard to keep coffee tables from stains. But with proper use and prevention, you can always have a coffee table looking shiny, pristine and new. So,  what’s the secret?

Prevention Against Staining

In medical terms, prevention is always better than cure, and it also applies to coffee table stains. One of the best things you can do is have the wood covered with a coat of polish. By doing this, if the coffee table does get stained, you can always have the polish redone and your coffee table will look as good as new again.

On the more affordable side of things, always use coasters and tablemats. This way, if something gets spilled, the coasters and tablemats will act as buffer to the stain. Furthermore, just the sight of the coasters and tablemats on your table will indirectly let your guests know that they have to be careful with their meals.

If push comes to shove and stains can’t really be avoided, it high time that you find out how to remove them properly. How? Read on.

Different Kinds of Stains and Different Kinds of Wood

You just don’t buy a stain remover in the market and apply it immediately on your coffee table. You have to know first what kind of stain your coffee table has and what kind of wood is your coffee table made of. Do your research first. Certain chemicals can react badly to certain types of wood and you don’t want that to happen. If you have no time to do research, one of the things you can do at the moment is apply a particular stain remover on an obscure part of your table and see how it will react to the wood. If it works, then go ahead and use it to remove the stain.

Heat Stain Removal

Place a hot iron over a clean piece of cotton towel on the spot where the stain is. Then move the iron clockwise and slowly. Lift the iron and the cloth from time to time to check if the stain has already been removed.

Grease Stain Removal

Place a dash of salt on the stain. The salt will soak up the grease out of the wood. Use more salt as needed until the job is finished.

Water Stain Removal from a Shellac Finish

For wooden coffee tables with a Shellac finish, use toothpaste to remove water stains. If it doesn’t work, then it may be time to call for professional help.

I’m sure most of us have a table at home that has become very sentimental for us. We’ve had it since God-knows-when and it’s probably considered an antique by modern standards. Typically, it’s a coffee table that has lived out its years. It’s worn out, has numerous scratches on it but still very functional and we wouldn’t want it to be thrown away. If this sounds familiar to you, there are ways that you can do to make your coffee table look brand new again. Painting is one of them. Read the instructions below to get you through this project and come out with one brand new looking fabulous coffee table.

Preparation is important.

Before you start painting, you have to first consider how you will paint your worn down coffee tables. Have a specific area in your home (like your garage for instance) where you’ll be doing the dirty work. Designate a space that is free of clutter and lay down a painting drop cloth. Even the best of painters around cannot avoid a spill from time to time.

Be sure to remove the old finish.

Some old coffee tables may have had a previous protective coating or some paint on it. You have to take this off until you are just left with the base wood. By doing so, repainting it later on will produce a smoother finish.

What you do is buy a varnish or paint remover from your local hardware store and be sure to follow the package instructions. If the paint or varnish won’t come off, have a sandpaper handy so you can sand the surface down to the base wood.

The surface must be clean.

It’s not enough to just sand down the surface to base wood, but the surface should be as smooth as possible and clean. Dust and wipe it off afterward and remove any debris that’s left on the surface. Having dirt on it will result to bubbles later on which can cause your wood to chip easily.

Paint, paint, paint.

This is what you’ve been waiting for. With the surface clean and smooth, you are now ready to paint. Apply a basecoat first then let it fully dry. Don’t be impatient otherwise your first coat of paint will be a waste of time. After the first coat of paint is completely dry, that’s when you apply a second coat of paint over it. Let it completely dry again, after which, you can assess whether it still needs more paint. Continue adding until you have attained the desired amount and color of paint for your coffee table.

Finish the coating.

Adding a protective coating after letting the paint dry is a brilliant idea. Because your coffee table has already been through a lot over the years, it is a must to have it further protected so it can last several more years after.

Now, look at your masterpiece and enjoy your brand new looking coffee table.

So the next question is, what type of chess set will you get?

One type of chess set that is popular among many is the marble kind. They come in different colors  like red and white, black and white, green and white, or any other color you prefer if you have them custom made. Marble chess set for your coffee table is an elegant way of expressing your playfulness, and at the same time, your love for unique designs.

Chess sets can also be made of wood which will go particularly well with your wood coffee tables. Just figure out the type of wood you need for your coffee table. Is this the kind that you want to use outdoors? If so, hard wood is best for this. If it’s just an ornamental piece inside your home, softwood is preferred. For the chess set, Rosewood is considered best.

Furthermore, if you finish your wood with lacquer, it gives it a more stylish edge. Also, the high gloss polyurethane finish enhances the beauty and elegance of the wood by making it look glassy and smooth. If there’s a triple inlay (white-black-white) pinstripe around the playing area, plus extra wide frame, this will make the chessboard more spectacular.

There are a variety of other different types of ornamental chess sets perfect for coffee tables that are available in the market today. Aside from marble and wood, there are those made of ebony and those that come with a lacquer finish. Whatever style it is that you want for your living room, know that you will never run out of options. Chess sets offer a great look for your living room, one hat you can boast to your friends and guests.

1. Wood Coffee Tables

There’s no doubt about it that wood is the most popular material used in making coffee tables. Wood gives off that rustic and traditional vibe that makes any home look more elegant, stylish and classy. The wood selection typically chosen by buyers are: oak, walnut, cherry, teak, pine and cypress. If you prefer to make your own coffee table, the type of wood you choose is determined by the amount and frequency of use you foresee yourself using it, as well as the design you want to follow. If you wish to use your coffee table all the time, then any of the hardwoods would be your best choice. But if your coffee table will just serve as an accent for your home, softwood would be okay.

2. Glass Coffee Tables

Glass makes a coffee table look longer and bigger because of its see-through feature. You can also take advantage of this by displaying some ornaments under the surface, especially if your coffee table is a lift top piece. But if you have little kids at home, try not to buy this kind of coffee table. It’s an accident waiting to happen and we don’t want that, right? But for those without little children at home and who wish to give their living room an elegant streak, then a glass table is one of your best bet. Just make sure the glass is tempered so when it does break, it won’t have any sharp edges.

3. Noguchi Coffee Tables

This one is designed by Isamu Noguchi sometime over 50 years ago. It features an amazing interlocking wood base and a glass top. It became wuite famous that it usually gets imitations from less quality brands. If this is what you want, docheck the edge as well as the wood base for the artist’s signature.

4. Stone Coffee Tables

Stones such as granite, marble. And slate are perfect for coffee tables. You can use them indoors as well as outdoors.  The most popular of course is the marble kind because it is the most durable of all stones. In order to give off that Victorian vibe, the best kind to put in your living room is the marble coffee table.

5. Bamboo Coffee Tables

Bamboo may look frail but in reality, it is durable, strong, sturdy and beautiful. And for those who are looking into having that natural Asian ambiance or an island design, bamboo is the perfect choice. The only downside is that this kind of grass is not available locally and would have to be imported, so it tends to be expensive. Furthermore, the preparation process is long since it involves bamboo stripping, boiling and gluing, which makes it all the more expensive.

6. Wrought Iron Coffee Tables

The old English term for “work” is “wrought”. Hence, when translated, it literally means “worked iron”. So when you buy a wrought iron coffee table, you can be sure that artistry has already been incorporated in it. Thus, they turn out to be elegant pieces especially when other materials get to be paired with them, like a glass top for instance.

7. Lucite Coffee Tables

Lucite is the next best thing to glass. It gives the illusion of space without the reservations you have with glass tops. This is because Lucite is stronger and clearer than glass.

8. Black or White Coffee Tables

Though the brown color of wood makes for an elegant look, black and white is the most popular. They go with any design theme and are considered modern and contemporary.

9. Round and Rectangular Coffee Tables

Having either a round or rectangular coffee table will depend on whether you have kids at home and enough space. The rectangular ones help save space but it may be dangerous when there are young kids running around. The round coffee tables are much safer for kids, but you may not have ample space for it. So decide well on which one you think is best for your lifestyle and needs.

When you create an amazing outdoor living area somewhere outside your house, one important thing to take note of is to always provide room for your morning coffee and paper, or afternoon snacks and a place where you can entertain guests as well.  But before you go ahead and purchase a coffee table that is perfect for this kind of space, be equipped with the following information first.

Buy a Coffee Table that is Weather Ready

This is the most important thing when purchasing an outdoor coffee table. It should be sturdy and durable enough to withstand whatever weather you may have in your area. There are pieces that hold well in cold places, and other pieces that are more suitable for hot areas. Do a little research about the different kinds of materials you prefer to ensure that they will last for a long time.

Buy a Coffee Table that is Easy to Clean

You may be in love with a coffee table with very intricate carvings and designs, but will you be able to love is the same way when you start cleaning it and continue doing so every day? Coffee tables with a lot of details are truly nice but just make sure that you can afford the time to clean it as well because it is this kind of coffee table that can easily gather dust and dirt on a daily basis. Therefore, look for a coffee table that has a relatively smooth surface and with little details for easy cleaning. Furthermore, research about the cleaning recommendations for the coffee table you purchased. Otherwise, using the wrong chemical for cleaning your beautiful coffee table would mean money down the drain.

Buy a Coffee Table with the Perfect Height for Your Needs

One good reason you’re looking for that perfect outdoor coffee table, aside from the dining table that you may already have outside of your house is because of the height of the coffee table. Why, you might ask. Well, a coffee table is always set up lower than a dining table. This way, when you lounge with your buddies or gal pals, it’s easy for you to reach for your drink or magazine or book without having to get up every time. So what you do is measure the seating options you plan to use. This way, you get the perfect height you want or have a coffee table custom made for it.

These three things look simple enough to remember. But believe it or not, people don’t usually think of these things when buying outdoor coffee tables. They always get blinded with the beautiful designs. While it is not a sin to pick the most beautiful in the market, it is still best to get an outdoor coffee table that can stand the test of weather and time, easy to clean and perfect for lounging. After all, an outdoor coffee table should make your life more fun and relaxing, right?